Purpose:

Demonstrates how planetary features are discovered by the use of remote sensing techniques.

Brief Description:

Strange new planets will be explored using a variety of remote sensing techniques:

• earthbound telescopes
• telescopes outside the earth's atmosphere
• fly-bys
• orbiters
• landers

Where you can find complete description:

CD: Mars Education Program, "Mars Activities, Teacher Resources and Classroom Activities"

http://msip.asu.edu/pages/php/curr/curr.php

Betsy's experience:

I did Strange New Planet with my classes. I used one planet per class (I have 4 classes) instead of four planets. That way, no one snitched and told the other classes what they saw before they got to class. Also, I did it in the hallway in small groups while the rest of the class worked on other things. Invariably, I had at least one or two (or more) students from other classes in the hallway traveling to the restroom or library etc. and they could see the planet easily. The kids really liked it. It sure brought home how difficult it is to piece together the information we have about planets using the technology available to us. They also really began to understand how this knowledge is changing and expanding based on our new perceptions as a reasult of advancing technology. I used the lab sheet with the activity.

Joan's twist:

I had the girls face paint their buddy with what they thought an alien would look like. It got rave reviews!

Anne's experience:

I just did strange new planet with two fifth grade classes at our annual science camp. It worked out pretty well. The kids wanted to remove the telescope from their eyes when they did fly bys and orbits! We did alot of debriefing to help them understand the limited view telescopes give us and why we need the fly bys with the orbits...and then landings. They were pretty amazed how much they could not see from a distance with a blue filter. So, I think they understood the concept.